Alarm gauge



i v 1, 2,41 Sept" 1927 p B. R. FAUNCE 64 3 Auuw GAUGE Filed June 1925 2 Sheets-Shag: 2

Elnj aminfii fincze,

i 5 effectedat various levels, so that thesignal at that level suited. towthe' Patented Sept. 1-3, 1927.

nnivanivrin RI CE FAU NCE, or nivnnsinn v iw JE SEY.

ALARM Gavan,

--App1ication filed J une 2,

' This invention relatesto improvenientsiin ,alarm anges adapted for use in connection with volatile liquids, such: as gasoline, to

signal when theliquid-level" has dropped to apredetermined plane. r w i The primaiyobject' ofthis invention is the provision gauge, embodying certain broad features of the alarm gauge setfoi thin my co-pending application, Serial Number i666,106,' filed Oct. 2, 1923, and defining invention thereoveriin the novel means bywhich the, same is asselnbledupon a gasoline tank to signal an alarm at a predetermined low level of gasoline therein; the improved device; being of a nature so that the signalling may be will only sound individual wishes of the owner of a vehicle of the tank uponjwhi'ch thedevicelis inistalled, I H

A further objectof this invention is;the provision of a safety alarm gauge particularly well adapted for use in connection with signalling the low level ofvolatilfe' liquids and embodying a -tes't eircu-itwhich,

in a tank, may indicate to-apersontheoperativeness of the electric circuit in which the alarm gauge is installed. I y

3 Other objects and advantages; of this invention will be apparent during the course of the followingdetailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein slinilar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 s a s de elevation of the improved gauge,show1ng its operating connection with a tank, and showing an improved 1' Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross sectionalview' taken through a tank, and theiiiiproved float controlled alarm gauge, i i 1 Figure 4: 18 a longitudmal crosssectional '1 view taken through the gauge in extended relation with respect to the view'illustrated is gure 3,;and so; that the alar n'will be of a practical type of'alarm 1925'. Serial No. 34,333. I

sounded at a lower liquid level than; the alarmv sounding whichtakes place with the device asillustrated in Figure 3. Figure 5 is across sectional PATENT FF E view taken I substantially on.the line 5 5 of'Figurefi.

Inthe drawings, whereinforithe purpose" .of illustration is shown only a preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A 'may generally designate a. fuel tank of any approved character, whichis adapted to con ta n a 'volatile liquid such as gasoline. vThe 3 improved alarm gauge preferably comprises i the float operated circuit maker and'breaker device B, adapted to be used in a novel elec-,

tric circuit C.

The device B isadapted to bje usediin a grounded circuit, althoughalterations may be made to this inventionto practically adapt for usefin a two-wired circuit. Thede- VICGVB' is adapted to be mounted directly in a tank A, suspended from the top wall 10 thereof, and in; contra distinctiontoqthe invention' of co pending application above referred to.. lhe device B pref-erablyconr 'cally related tubular, sections 16 and 17. The tubular section 16 'is preferably of larger diameter than the section 17, and is internally screw threaded at 18, upwardly from the lower edge thereof, for adjustablyreccivprises a housing ,15,-including the telcscopi-i ing theexterna'lly screw'threadedend 19 of i. r

the lower tubular section 17. Thesections 16 and 17 arethus related so that the length thereof maybe extended or shortened as desired, To hold them in a desired relation it is'preferred to provide a'pin or wire 20. Y

which. maybe detachable, carried 'in radially extendingrelation by the section 16. which preferably projects inwardlyinto' a longitudinal: groove orwvay 21 which. may

be formed in ,the section 17 along its upper end,,so as to prevent any circumferential movement of the-secti0ns 16 and 17 tending to displace the length towhich the same has been fixed, for so'undingthe alarmfata predetermined low "level; The section 16 adjacent its upper end is provided with a vent 7 opening 23, preferably screened at 24, to V permit venting of air out ofor into the float chamber25inthe housing15.- as the liquid thereofrises or'falls. AtQits upper endthe section 16 I is" preferably screw threadedyex te rnally, at. 28',

wr'cnchengaging head ,30, and is" externally for detachably receiving a cap 29., The cap 329 is provided Wltll' a screw threaded at 31, for detachable connection in a screw threaded opening ll) ot' a tank attaching plug 11. i

The float housing 15 is adapted to be vertically depended into the tank onrpzutment, and to this end the tank wall 10 is: provided with an opening 42 therein. into wliieh'the externally screw threaded hollow shank 13 of the plug 41 extends. A contractible rim);- shaped nut ll is preferably adapted for use at the inside of the wall 10v and the same includes a pair of sections 45 and 46 hinged at diametrically opposed points at 47. and the same being complementaryto provide the internally screw threaded opening 48 for adjustably receiving the screw threaded hollow shank 43; it being understood that the nut 45 engages at the under sui'tace ot the wall 10. and that the plug 4 1 is provided with an annular flange 49 adapted to clamp against thrust washers 5O placed between the flange 49 and the top surt'ace of the tank wall 10, as is illustrated in Figureil ot the drawings.

As to the assembling of the plug 4:1 in the relation shown, the nut 15 is collapsed and passed through the opening 4-2, and then extended, and the hollo plug 41. tree of the float housing then threaded into the nut 45. and clamped tight. and atter which the float housing 15 is lowered through the screw threaded opening ltl of the plug 41. and the enlarged tln'eadod'portion 31 of the cap 30 then adjusted in the threaded opening +l0. in the relation illustrated in the drawings, and thus assemblingthe details upon the tank;

The float housing section 17 at its lower end is internal 5' screw threaded at 51. and is opened for detachably receivin a terminal or contact supporting insula 52, which is provided with a t extending longitudinally beret roi f pro ecting into the float COlrlPtZl'l'llHi: auil, luring retained in a predetermined relation in said compartment. so that the top edge is always in a pret'letermined spaced relation with respect to the liquid inlet and outlet port 56 provided in thclower end of the housing section 17, by means of a setscrew 58 carried by the plug as is illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings. A screen 57 is placed over the duct 56. to prevent assage of foreign materi s with respect to the float compartn'icnt i A spherical float 60 is freely suspended upon the liquid in the float compartment 25, indepeuoentof any other connection at all with the housing in which it is placed, and this spherical float 60 is of a special type, as set forth in my co-pending application above referred to, preferably being electroplated. and being true spherical and having a con ducting coating of material thereabout: thespecific gravity of the float being such that the same is just submer ed at its maximum diameter at all times w 1611 it is freely suspended in the liquid, and as is illustrated in Figure 3. In accordance with the principle of my inventiomthofloat (it) controls a circuit at a low level of the volatile liquid, without arcing, since all of the contact. takes place below the liquid level, and thereby liability of explosions are obviated. The. float. 60 drops with the drop of the liquid. since the liquid levelin the compartment is the same as in the tank A, at all times, and preferably just at the time when the liquid is at such a low level that it can no longer pass from the compartment 25 into the tank, incident to drop of level in the latter, the float 60 will, come into engagement with the tip edge 55 of the terminal 54, and be moved slightly laterally, incident to its suspended weight on the terminal 54, so that the float 60 at a point upon its maximum diameter, will engage the section 17 at its inner periphery, at a point below the liquid level: and. close a circuit, since the housing 16 is grounded in a circuit, as will be subsequently described, and as is illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. The liquid level in the housing 25 does drop beyond the lowest liquid as permitted by the duct 56, and thus liability of arcing is obviated, as will be apparent.

It is preferred to lead a wire 70, of which the terminal 54 is a part, downwardly into the tank in a novel manner. This wire is preferably protected by a flexible armored cable 71, and is insulated therefrom as at 72 in a conventional manner. The wire 70 and its armored cable 71 is led into the tank without any alteration in the structure of the tank, by passing it through an axial passage way 74 provided in the top 30 of the float housing 15, and passing the same downwardly into the float compartment. 25 for a short distance, and then laterally through an opening 75, and thence downwardly parallel along the housing sectionslfl and 17, and upwardly through the insulating plug 52. as is illustrated in the drawings, and as has been above described.

As to the circuit C, the same is preferably a grounded circuit, and the tank A is grounded as at 80, and which also grounds the float housing 15, which the float 60 engages to close the circuit, as above mentioned. The wire 70 of which the terminal 54 is a part, exteriorly of the tank A, is proided with a safety switch 82, by means of which the connecting wire 70 may be con- 'nected in or disconnected from a circuit 84.

which may be closed independently of the circuit closing arrangement provided by the float 60, for testing purposes.

The circuit 84 includes the storage battery 85, which is grounded at 86, and at the opposite side the storage battery circuit is 93 and 94 areemployed, which lead to the safety switch structure 82, and are bridged only when the safety switch 82 1s closed. The safety switch'82 reallycompr ses an; nsulating plug 96 having a pair of terminal extensions 97 and 98 which may be connected in any suitable manner with splice portlons 99 and 100 of the single conducting wire 70. The switch 82 furthermore includes an insulating socket body 101 provided with insulating-socket pieces 102 and 103 therein with which the conducting wires 93 and 94 con nect, so that when the switch 82 is closed, the wires 93 and 94' are in conductingrelation with the wire 70, and. when the switch is 'opentlie wires 93 and 94 areopened, and the line 70 is disconnected from theelectric circuit. It is highly desirable for theoperator to testlthe circuit. from time to time, and to this end theswitch 91 is, located upon the dash, and merely by, closing the same the circuit through thebattery 85, ammeter 87,

signal 88, switch 82, switch 91, and ground 90 will be closed, for signalling at 88 that the circuit .84 is in working order, and any defect which exists must be found in the float device 13. or the wire thereof, thuslocalizing any'inoperative defect. The closing of this circuit84 independent of the device B affords a considerable satisfaction to theoperator, .since he can satisfy himself fromtime to time, when he knows that the gasoline of the tank is low,that the circuitis still in operating order and will signal at the proper tnne. f

' The safety switch 82 is very important for a! number of reasons. It is' placed immediately above the tank, closely adjacent the cap 30, and affordsa means bywhich an operator may quickly disconnect the line wires when it is desired to remove the device 'B from the tank. It also aifordsa means 5 has sounded. that'the liquidlevel is at the of disconnecting the circuit when the device B is to be worked-upon,iso that no arcing mayvtake place. vAgain, after the signal 88 low point, if thereis still suflicient liquid in the tank for the operatorto run: the vehicle, the operator can disconnect the switch 82, absolutely insuring that ,no arcing will take place at the circuit closing float 60,,and the operator can continue'to drive thevehicle or use the volatile :liquid, with safety.

f From the foregoing. descriptionof this invention it will be apparent that an improved type of alarm gauge has been provided, which very compact in arrangement, and practical in construction, and adapted to be quickly and eiiiciently placed upon gasoline tanks and the like, for signalling at a low level .of. liquid, which low level may be selected by reason of adjustment of the tubes 16 and 17, to suit the Wishes of: the individ: ual, so that a desired reserve supply of liquid may still he inthe. tank jafter the'signal has sounded. i Variouscliangcs in the shape, size,and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I I claim:

= 1. In combination witha tankhaving. a

liquid receiving compartment, an extensible casing-including an upper part for attachment to the tank and extending into the,

compartment ofthe tank, and a lower part I extensibly attached with theupper part and depending into the tank compartment, said lower casingpart having a ducttherein to permit inlet and escape of liquid with respect to, said caslng, a circuit controlling float in the casing adapted to rise and fall with the liquid level inthe casing and tank, and terminal means in the lower end of the casing which the float is adapted to contact at a predetermined low level of liquid to close a circuit. 1 I o 2. A device of the class described comprising a casing including a pair of sections connected for relative longitudinal adjustment and providing a compartment therein, said casing having a duct in the lower section topermit inlet and escape of liquid into the compartment, a float. operable. in said compartment incident to rise and fall of liquid level in the' compartment, and terminal means in the lower-end of the lower section which the float is adapted to. engage and close a circuit upon drop of liquid level in the compartment to a predetermined plane.

A device of the class-described comprising' arcasing including telescopic sections, means forconnecting the sections'in a desired longitudinally. extending relation,

said casing providing a compartment thru said sections, a :float operating thru said compartment responsive to rise and fallof liquid? level, the lower section having an, opening therethrough for inletand exit of liquid, and terminal means carried by the lower; section for contactby said float at a circuit.

4 in a float operated-circuit closer the combination of a casing including a pair predeterminedliquid level for bridging a of tuln lar sections. means adiustably screw tln'eadlng one-section in the other, a tank adapted to receive a liquid, means for sup porting one of said sections upon the tank so that the casing extends into the tank with the other section lowermost, said lowermost section having an inlet and exit opening therein, a float operable in the casing, and terminal means carried at the lower end of the lower section which the float engages to bridge a circuit at a predetermined plane ol low liquid level.

In a float operated circuit closer the combination of a casing including a pair of tubular sections, means adjustably screw threading one section in the other, a tank adapted to receive a liquid, means for supporting one of said sections upon the tank so that the casing extends into the tank with the other section lowermost, said lowermost section having an inlet and exit opening therein, a float operable in the casing, terminal means carried at the lower end of the lower section which the float engages to bridge a circuit at a rcdetcrmincd plane of low liquid level. and means for locking the sections of the casing in a predetermined adjustment so that the circuit will be bridged at a selected liquid level.

(3. In a float operated circuit closer the combination with a tank adapted to receive a liquid, a housing including upper and lower telescopically connected relatively adjustable sections, means detachably connecting the upper section at its upper end in the tank so that the casing depends into the tank. said upper section having a vent duct therein, said lower section atits lower end having a liquid inlet and exit duct therein, and a float freely suspended in the casing upon liquid therein adapted when the liquid level has fallen substantially to said inlet and exit duct to bridge a circuit.

7. In a float operated circuit closer of the class described the combination with a tank adapted to receive a liquid, a housing including upper and lower sections, means connecting the sections so that they may be extended or telescoped in a desired relation said upper section having a vent duct therein, means for connecting the upper section above the vent duct to the tank so that the housing depends into the tank, said lower section having a duct therein to permit inlet and exit of liquid with respect thereto a contact extending upwardly within the easing at the lower end of said lower section and terminating at a point below said last mentioned duct, and a circuit controlling float adapted to be freely suspended in the casing upon liquid therein so that when the liquid level has fallen substantially to said last mentioned duct the float will engage said contact at a point below the liquid level and upon further falling of the liquid level to said duct adapted to be tipped incident to the weight thereof laterally into engagement with said casing at a point below level for closing a circuit.

8. In a float operated circuit closer the combination of a housing including a )air of relatively extensible sections providin a compartment therein, one of said sections having a duct therein, a float in the compartment of said sections, and a terminal piece carried by the section in which said duct is formed extending into said compartment towards the float in a predetermined spaced relation with respect to said duct.

9. In a float operated circuit closer the combination of upper and lower relatively adjustable'tubular sections providing a compartment therealong, the lower section adjacent its lower end having a duct therein, a float operable in the compartment provided by said sections, and a terminal piece extending thru the lower end of said lower section in insulatedrelation to said section and projecting into said compartment in facing relation with said float in a predetermincd spaced relation with said duct.

10'. In a float operated circuit closer of the class described a housing including a pair of telescopic sections, a detachable plug for one of said sections provided with an insulated terminal piece extending into said section, a float operable longitudinally within said sections, said sectionwith said plug having a duct in predetermined relation with respect to said terminal, and. a detachable cap at the end of the other section opposite the connection of said sections.

11. In a float operated circuit closer the combination with a tank adapted to receive a liquid including a wall having an o ening therein, an elongated tubular housing raving a compartment therealong, and includin a cap at the upper end thereof, means for letachably connectin the cap in the opening of the wall of sai tank, a float operating longitudinally in the compartment of said tubular housing, said housing having vent and inlet and outlet ducts therein, and a conducting wire extending from exteriorly of the tank directly through the cap into the adjacent end of the compartment in the tubular housing, said housing adjacent the cap and below the wall of the tank having a lateral opening thru which said conducting wire extends to exteriorly of the tubular housing, said wire extending along the tubular housing towards the end of the same opposite the cap, and insulating means at said end of the tubular housing opposite the cap end receiving the conducting wire therein to provide a portion of the wire facing in the end of the compartment of said housing opposite the cap in a contact relation with the float when the latter falls to a pre determined low level.

12. In a float operated circuit closer the combination of a tubular housing providing the liquid a compartment therein, a detachable cap at the upper end of said housing, a detachable insulating plug at the lower end of said housing, a float operatinginsaid housing, said housing having avent duct therein and a liquidinlet and exit duct in predetermined relation with respect to said insulating ping at the lower end of said housing; and a conducting Wire entering the housing substantially axiallyothru said cap andbelow said cap extending exteriorly of the housing longitudinally thereof to said insulating plug, and providing a terminal extending thru said insulating plug in projecting relation into the compartment of the housing in predetermined spaced relation with respect to the inlet and outlet duct of said housing, and a circuit bridging float in the compartment of the housing adapted at a predetermined low liquid level as permitted by said inlet and exit duct to engage said terminal and tip laterally into circuit bridging relation with saidhousing.

13. In combination with a tank having a;

liquid receiving compartment therein, an elongated casing =connected with the tank and depending into said compartment and including means to extend the length thereof within said-compartment,'said casing having a duct therein in the lower portion to permit 'inletand escape of liquid with respect to said casing, a circuit controlling float in the casing, and terminal means in the lower end of the casing adjacent said duct for movement with the casing when the latter is moved into any extended relation in the tank compartment, said float being adapted to engage said terminal means toclose a circuit when the liquid level in the tank drops to the duct. I

v BENJAMIN R'FAUN 

